Sixth form scholarship - how would it be considered for Oxbridge entry?

[Floror]

DD is currently in year 10 at a secondary that has has had a “Requires improvement” Ofsted grade for her entire time there and doesn’t get great GCSE grade percentages, although there are high percentages of deprived and lower ability intake pupils according to the published statistics; she also went to state primary. We have no alternative, other than private schools that we cannot afford for both of our DC.

The current school has no 6th form and the nearest state provision will be a 30-mile round trip on a public bus that goes/returns once a day (we live rurally), it also doesn’t get particularly good results. However, a nearby private school offers a couple of fully paid 6th form scholarships for pupils from her school due to a historical benefactor, and runs a minibus to/from our area.

My question is, if she were to get one of these scholarships, would that disadvantage her for Oxbridge entry, or would they take this background into consideration? She may get better A-Level grades due to going to the private school but likely would still have to work harder to bridge the gap between GCSE and A Level, compared to pupils who have always attended the private school.

Obviously this is currently theoretical because she may not even get one of the scholarships but it would be useful to have an idea at this point.

In her UCAS reference the school can include bursary information and make clear that she has only joined the school for Sixth Form on a full (or 90% or whatever) bursary. The university can also see where her GCSE exams were taken, and will have contextual information for that school. It shouldn’t count against her, though it probably depends a bit on the admissions tutor, who else is applying etc. However, I think turning this opportunity down - if you think she’ll get a better A Level experience - on the basis that it might be slightly harder to get into Oxbridge would be quite short-sighted, especially as there’s no guarantee she’d get in from the state Sixth Form either. Good luck to her!

I would absolutely take the scholarship if it is offered. Universities can see where her GCSEs were taken and the sixth form can mention the scholarship in their reference. None of these things would count against her in that sense. The chances of getting into Oxbridge are stacked against any applicant due to the sheer number of applicants some of whom also faced challenging circumstances of being in care or being a carer for a parent etc.

Looking ahead, definitely look into Uniq or Sutton Trust summer schools to see if she qualifies for any of those. Although obviously Oxbridge are the top 2 universities don't only focus on those, she should look to fill the other 4 UCAS application slots with other universities. It shouldn't feel like being accepted at another university is a failure. There are lots of incredible universities.

The way the system works is the deadline for Oxbridge applications (plus medicine, dentistry etc) is 15th October in year 13 but for all other universities it is January. Other universities offer throughout the year whereas Oxbridge candidates first see if they are invited to interview and then everyone waiting for Oxford finds out on the same day in January, same with Cambridge. Hope that helps.